All About Japan

🌟 All About Japan Photo and Video Contest 🌟 📷 My Fave Japan 📷 At All About Japan, we're passionate about sharing Japan's many charms with the world. Now, we invite you to show us your Japan. Join our Fave Japan photo and video contest and let us see Japan through your eyes. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, we're sure that the images you've captured of Japan — of nature, cities, cultural aspects or people — will resonate deeply with those who love this country. 👉 Details: ・Submissions: Up to three photographs or one video clip (30 seconds or less). Both photo and video submissions are acceptable. ・Timeframe: Content must have been captured within the last two years (from January 2023 to the present). ・Theme: My Fave Japan. Your submission is up to you but should include, for example, favorite scenery from your travels in Japan, breathtaking imagery of everyday life, your favorite Japanese food or goods, or memorable people you've met. ・Description: Submissions should include a story (200 words or less) that describes the scene or episode. 👉 Conditions: ・Participants must be native English speakers, as winning entries will be shared mainly through English-language media. ・Participants must be members of the AAJ Tomodachi community. If you are not a member, please register before submitting an entry. 👉 Data Specifications: <Photos> 📷 File Size: Please submit the original image without reducing the pixel count. (Recommended size: at least 3,600 pixels in height.) Format: jpg, png, gif. Editing: Cropping and color correction are acceptable, but digital manipulation (e.g., removing or adding objects) is not permitted. <Videos> 📱 Duration and File Size: Videos should be 30 seconds or less and 1GB or less. Format: mov or mp4 files. Any orientation (vertical or horizontal) is acceptable. Editing: Videos must be live action. CG, animation, added sound, music, narration, or titles are not eligible. 👉 Submission Form: ✏️📩 https://forms.gle/9B6BcELcFEEcYEZAA 🌐Check out our website for more info: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/11341/ #MyFaveJapan #JapanThroughMyLens#PhotoContestJapan #JapanPhotoContest #VideoConte #Japan

Join us as we embark on a journey to discover Japan! At All About Japan, we're uncovering the little-known charms of Japan and sharing them with the world through our website and social media. Tranquil temples, cozy restaurants busy with local patrons … Places only you know. Join us in seeking out these hidden gems of Japan and in sharing our discoveries with the world. 📌Details and Conditions: Together, let's make All About Japan even more exciting! Become an AAJ Tomodachi and share Japan's myriad charms with the world! If you're a foreign national residing in Japan, enjoy sharing information on social media in your native language and have conversational Japanese skills (including basic reading and writing abilities), we'd be thrilled to have you. 📌What AAJ Tomodachi Do: As an AAJ Tomodachi, you can participate in occasional meetups (both offline and online), complete surveys, join monitor tours, attend press-only events and much more! ※There are no membership fees. ※Participation in Tomodachi events is entirely voluntary. ＼Sign up here!／ https://forms.gle/aatMskz3Egt5hLgFA

📅 Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) is on January 13th 2025 📅 👉 When? Held on the second Monday of January 👉 Why? To congratulate all those who reached the age of maturity between April 2nd of the previous year and April 1st of the current year. It celebrates the expanded rights as well as the increased responsibilities of the new adults. 👉 Who? For many years Seijin no Hi was a day for 20-year-olds. But in 2022 the age of maturity was lowered from 20 to 18, and now 18-year-olds are invited to participate. 👉 What happens? Coming of Age Ceremony (Seijin shiki) – often held at the local city hall or school gymnasium, with speeches about what it means to be an adult, as well as hopes and expectations for the future, and small commemorative presents 👘 Clothing: Young women often dress in a brightly-colored furisode (a special long-sleeved kimono). Young men often wear a dark kimono and traditional hakama trousers. Others opt for a modern suit. It’s a popular time of year for hair salons and photo studios! After the formal ceremony many will go out to celebrate with friends or family (although the drinking age has stayed at 20!) #ComingOfAgeDay #SeijinNoHi #JapaneseTraditions #ComingOfAgeJapan #FurisodeKimono #CelebrateAdulthood #JapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #ExploreJapaneseTraditions #CulturalJapan #HiddenGemsJapan #SeijinShiki

👹 Namahage Sedo Festival 👹 👉 What are Namahage? Demon-like beings from the Oga peninsula, with oni masks and traditional straw capes. They might look fierce but they’re actually benevolent spirits who ward off tragedy and bring good luck. In this New Year’s Eve tradition, Namahage go from house to house shouting warnings to crying babies and misbehaving children. They are served rice cakes and sake, and promise health and a good harvest for the following year. In 2018, Oga no Namahage masked deities were registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 👉 Namahage Sedo Festival 🕙When? February 7th-9th from 6pm-8.30pm 📍Where? Shinzan Shrine. Namahage dance energetically around a fire in the temple grounds. There are also taiko drum performances. For event map and further details of program: https://oganavi.com/sedo/en/program/ 🎟️Admission: 1,000 yen (Free for junior high school students and below) 🚉Getting there: Train to Akita station. Then take the JR Oga Line to Oga Station (770 yen, 55 mins). Then take paid shuttle bus to the festival site. Car parking also available. For more travel info: https://oganavi.com/sedo/en/access/ 👉 Also in the area: At the Namahage Museum, you can see 150 namahage masks with interesting regional variations, and even try on namahage costumes. There’s also Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum where you can find out more about the namahage customs of the Shinzan region. #NamahageSedoFestival #NamahageJapan #OgaPeninsula #JapaneseTraditions #VisitAkita #WinterInJapan #JapaneseFestivals #ExploreJapan #CulturalHeritage #UNESCOWorldHeritage #OniTraditions #HiddenGemsJapan #ShinzanShrine #DiscoverJapan #TaikoDrums

📅Upcoming Events in 2025📅 👉 January 17th: 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of this 6.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred on January 17th 1995. It was Japan’s second deadliest earthquake of the 20th century with over 5,000 people losing their lives. 👉 April 13th to October 13th: The World Expo in Osaka This world’s fair will be held for 184 days on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. This will be the third time Osaka hosts a World Expo, having previously hosted Expo 1970 and Expo 1990. Theme: Designing Future Society for Our Lives Aim: Bringing together the wisdom of the world, including breakthrough technologies, to create and communicate new ideas For ticket info and more: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/ 👉 August 6th - 9th: 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Events will be held to promote peace and remind the world of the horror of nuclear weapons 👉 September 13th to 21st: World Athletics Championships in Tokyo The championships will use the National Stadium, rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Tickets go on sale at 18:00 JST on 31 January 2025. #Japan2025 #UpcomingEventsJapan #GreatHanshinEarthquake #Expo2025Osaka #WorldExpoOsaka #HiroshimaNagasaki80Years #WorldAthleticsTokyo #VisitJapan2025 #ExploreJapan #JapanIn2025 #DiscoverJapan #CulturalJapan #JapanForTheWorld #JapaneseHistory

🌿January 7th is Nanakusa no Sekku - Festival of the Seven Herbs🌿 🍲What do people to? Eat nanakusa-gayu, a rice porridge containing the seven herbs of spring History: This tradition originated in Chinese and was adopted in Japan during the Heian period (794-1185). It is related to Wakana Tsumi, a tradition of picking young herbs at the beginning of the year to receive new life from nature. January 7th is also known as Jinjitsu (人日), one of the five seasonal festivals (gosekku). 🌿Name: 七 nana (seven) + 草 kusa (herbs) 🍲Why? This simple and healthy porridge is good for your stomach after the feasting of New Year celebrations. It’s believed to bring good health and ward off evil spirits for the rest of the year. The first greens of the year bring color to the table and represent renewal. 7️⃣ What are the Seven Spring Herbs? In Japanese: seri, nazuna / penpengusa, gogyo / hahakogusa, hakobera / kohakobe, hotokenoza / konitabirako, suzuna / kabu, suzushiro / daikon In English: Japanese parsley, Shepherd’s purse, cudweed, chickenweed, nipplewort, turnip, radish Of course, these may vary depending on local availability. You can find recipes online, so why not give it a try? #NanakusaNoSekku #SevenHerbsFestival #JapaneseTraditions #RicePorridge #NewYearInJapan #CulturalJapan #HealthyEatingJapan #SeasonalJapaneseFood #JapaneseHerbs #ExploreJapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #WakanaTsumi #HiddenGemsJapan #JapaneseCustoms #SpringHerbs

🛍️ Grab a mystery NY bargain with Fukubukuro! 🛍️ These “lucky bags” are a long-standing Japanese tradition and a fun way to start the New Year. 💰NAME: fuku (福) means "good fortune" or "luck," and fukuro (袋) means "bag" 👉 HISTORY: One of the earliest origin stories is about a kimono shop in the Edo period (1603-1867). The word “fukubukuro” was popularized by Ginza Matsuya Department Store in the early 20th century. 👉 WHAT ARE THEY? This New Year custom involves a sealed bag filled with unknown contents. They are sold at a discount, often with 50% or more off the list price of the contents. They are a good way for stores to clear out unsold items from the previous year, and attract customers during the New Year period. 🏬 WHERE AND WHEN CAN I GET ONE? Fukubukro are typically sold in shops and department stores during the first week of the New Year. They are often snapped up quickly, with popular stores having long lines waiting for the opening time on New Year’s Day. You may also find them online these days! 👉 RULES: No refunds, no exchanges, and most importantly, no peeking inside! 👉 SURPRISING FACT: The most expensive fukubukuro was on sale for 200.6 million yen ($1.7 million) at a jewelry store in Ginza in 2006. #Fukubukuro #LuckyBags #NewYearInJapan #JapaneseTraditions #ShopJapan #MysteryBargains #NewYearShopping #ExploreJapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #CulturalJapan #JapanShoppingExperience #HiddenGemsJapan #JapaneseNewYear #ShoppingInJapan #LuckyBagTradition

🌟 Japanese New Year's Traditions 🌟 🎍 Kadomatsu In order to guide the gods toward them, many households, businesses and sacred sites put up pine and bamboo decorations known as kadomatsu on either side of entranceways. 🍡 Kagami mochi The round shape of this New Year rice cake is an homage to the mirror of the sun goddess Amaterasu. It symbolizes the renewal of light and energy present at the start of a New Year. 🍜Festive chopsticks Iwaibashi are made using wood from the willow tree, which has been considered sacred since ancient times. The thickness of the middle is said to represent a full straw bag, which suggests a bumper crop of rice. 🍶 Special spiced sake O-toso is said to expel last year’s bad luck and help with health and longevity in the New Year. The medicinal herbs are said to assist digestion and protect against colds. 🍱 New Year food To avoid cooking meals on a hearth during the New Year, stackable boxes filled with long-lasting food items are prepared by December 31 for eating over the first three days of the year. For more info check out our article: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/1269/ #JapaneseNewYear #NewYearTraditions #Kadomatsu #KagamiMochi #OsechiRyori #OtosoSake #Iwaibashi #TraditionalJapan #NewYearInJapan #CulturalJapan #ExploreJapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #Happynewyear #Japan

🎍 How to spend the New Year in Japan 🎍 If you’re in Japan in late December / early January look out for these fascinating New Year traditions: 🌟 Osechi ryori Osechi are traditional foods eaten during the New Year period. They are prepared in special lacquer boxes called jubako. Each food has a special meaning related to New Year. 🌟 Hatsumode The first visit to the temple or shrine to pray for health and happiness in the upcoming year. 🌟 Joya no Kane This event is held on New Year's Eve at Buddhist temples across Japan. The temple bell is rung 108 times, to get rid of the sins of the year that’s ending. 🌟 Fukubukuro Many large shops and department stores sell these “lucky bags.” They have a set price and you don’t know what’s inside until you open them. TOP TIPS: 👉 Get enough cash out before December 28th as banks and post offices close over the New Year period 👉 Plan your travel carefully, as trains and roads become incredibly congested, especially just before and after New Year's Day 👉 Check websites for seasonal closures of shops, tourist sites and attractions. Temples and shrines typically do not close, but will be busier than normal. 🌐For more tips, see our article: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/7641/ #NewYearInJapan #JapaneseNewYear #OsechiRyori #Hatsumode #JoyaNoKane #Fukubukuro #ExploreJapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #NewYearTraditions #CulturalJapan #JapanHolidaySeason #DiscoverJapan #TraditionalJapan #JapaneseFestivities

🗑Get ready for the End of Year Cleaning! 🗑 👉 WHAT? Susuharai (literally "soot-sweeping"). Also called O-soji ("big cleaning"). 👉 WHY? People clean and purify the home so that the Shinto deity of the New Year, Toshigami, can be welcomed in. 👉 WHEN? Traditionally, the annual big clean was done on December 13th, which was known as Susuharai Day. Nowadays, cleaning can begin on any day from the 13th until the 28th, leaving the last few days of the year free for other last-minute preparations. Once the cleaning is done, people decorate their homes with New Year decorations such as shimekazari (rice straw rope), a symbol of welcome, ensuring the family and home are ready for Toshigami’s arrival. 👉 HISTORY: The tradition goes back to Heian period (794–1185) when the court was cleaned of soot and dust. It was also thought to drive evil spirits away. During the Edo period (1603–1868), common people adopted the custom. It started the period of purification before the New Year. 👉 WHO? All the family take part, from grandparents to small children. And it’s not just for families - many Japanese businesses and workplaces also have a thorough cleaning before closing for the holidays. 👉 IN POPULAR CULTURE: do remember the soot sprites from the Studio Ghibli anime My Neighbor Totoro? 🌐For other things to do before the New Year: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/1270/ #EndOfYearCleaning #Osouji #Susuharai #JapaneseTraditions #NewYearInJapan #CleanAndPurify #YearEndInJapan #CulturalJapan #ExploreJapaneseCulture #VisitJapan #HiddenGemsJapan #JapaneseNewYearPrep

⭐Enjoy the Christmas Markets of Tokyo⭐ Christmas markets have become more popular in Japan in recent years, and provide a great place to shop for presents and celebrate the festive season. Here are some of our favorites to enjoy this December in and around the capital. 🎄Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market This traditional German-style Christmas market has Christmas lights and booths selling everything from mulled wine to schnitzels. 🎄Roppongi Hills Christmas Market An authentic German-style Christmas market that features carolling, mulled wine, large mugs of beer, and plenty of booths. 🎄Marunouchi Christmas Market A German-style market with innovative displays featuring illuminated Christmas-light art. 🎄 Tokyo Christmas Market (Hibiya Park) Look out for mulled wine, German wooden handicrafts, choral singers, and a 14-meter Christmas pyramid from Dresden. 🎄Solamachi Christmas Market (Tokyo Skytree) A Northern European Christmas market at the foot of Tokyo Skytree, with mulled wine, hot waffles, and elaborately decorated wooden booths. Check the official websites for specific dates and times. 🌐 For more information see our article: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/1131/ #TokyoChristmasMarkets #ChristmasInJapan #FestiveTokyo #HolidaySeasonJapan #TokyoInWinter #VisitTokyo #ExploreTokyo #ChristmasMarketsJapan #TokyoFestivities #HiddenGemsTokyo #WinterInJapan #ChristmasShoppingJapan #DiscoverTokyo

😋Japanese foods of the winter solstice 😋 🌏 The winter solstice occurs when either of Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This year in the Northern Hemisphere it occurs on December 21st. In Japan, certain foods are traditionally eaten at this time: 🎃Kabocha pumpkin – for nutrition and preservation Pumpkins can be stored for a long time and are highly nutritious, so they are considered good for maintaining your health in winter. They contain dietary fiber, as well as Vitamins A and C which are good for preventing colds and boosting immunity. 🍋Yuzu – a symbol of purity and cleansing This citrus fruit has a strong fragrance was believed to ward off evil spirits and purify the body. Taking a yuzu bath warms the body and prevents colds. The scent has a soothing effect on the mind and body. 🫘Azuki beans Their red color is thought to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. They are said to reduce sensitivity to the cold because of their high iron and phosphorus contents. 🗾Look out for these regional specialties: Hokkaido and Tohoku region: Kabocha itoko-ni (boiled pumpkin and red beans) Kansai Region: Red bean porridge (azuki gayu) Kyushu region: Yuzu dishes and yuzu baths #WinterSolsticeJapan #JapaneseTraditions #SeasonalJapaneseFood #KabochaPumpkin #YuzuBath #AzukiBeans #WinterInJapan #JapaneseCulture #HealthyWinterFoods #ExploreJapan #DiscoverJapaneseCuisine #JapanInWinter #TraditionalJapan #HiddenGemsJapan #WinterSolsticeFoods